Monday, April 20, 2026
Good morning, and welcome to RedState’s “Morning Minute” — a brief glimpse at which stories are trending at the moment and a look ahead at what the day may bring. Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day.
TOP O’ THE MORNIN’
Red-Hot at RedState
Video of US Boarding Iranian Ship – and the Question of What Might Have Been on It
While the ship was listed as sailing from Port Klang, Malaysia, to the Strait, it turns out that before it was at Port Klang, it had been in China, according to reports.
Report: The Latest Shadow Docket ‘Scandal’ Proves Between the Justices and Legacy Media, SCOTUS Is Toast
Perhaps someone could also point out to the brain trust at the NYT that it is the Left’s penchant for lawfare and the activist judges who make these highly partisan and ideologically skewed decisions that have resulted in the need for a method that expedites reviews and judgments by the highest court.
VIDEO: USS Spruance Lights Up Iranian Blockade Runner in a Formidable Demonstration of FAFO
If the Iranians persist in their demand, the war will resume by Thursday morning (Don’t Trust *And* Verify: US Amb. Waltz Says Iran Can Be Assured of 1 Thing Ahead of Any Nukes Agreement). Their other option is a massive climb-down from their high horse and an admission that they don’t have a way to enforce any of their demands.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Bearing Arms — Minneapolis Man’s Conviction Really Proof Gun Control Is Useless
The criminals kept getting guns, and did so in spite of every regulation we were told would stop them.
HotAir — All the Worst People Are Defending Hezbollah
The core Europeans and the transnationalists they represent are on the wrong side of almost everything.
PJ Media — The Youngest Republican in Congress Asked One Question Democrats Couldn’t Answer
Gill serves on the House Judiciary Committee and has made immigration integrity a key factor of his work. His approach during the hearing reflected that priority; he didn’t raise his voice or expand the argument, he asked a single question and allowed the silence to carry the point.
Townhall — The Most Important Lesson of the Iran War Is to Buy Guns and Ammo
The undeniable fact is that fanatics will slaughter anyone in their path to keep it, but they can’t slaughter you if you can fight back.
Twitchy — HEAP Big Creepy! Elizabeth Warren DOG-WALKED for Calling D-Bag With Nazi Tattoo ‘Her Kind of Man’ (WATCH)
Beyond the Nazi tattoo debacle, Platner is a total nutjob. But hey, as long as he wants to steal other people’s money and give more power to the government, we imagine Big Chief Lies-a-Lot can overlook all of it.
WHAT’S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill…
The critters are back at it on Monday, with several hearings/meetings set:
- Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry — Business meeting to consider the nomination of Glen Smith, of Iowa, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development
- House Appropriations, Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee — Budget Hearing – Department of the Interior
- Senate Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee — Hearings to examine the Department of Energy’s atomic energy defense activities and Department of Defense nuclear weapons programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Defense Program
- House Rules — H.R. 2289 – American Broadband Deployment Act of 2026; H.R. 4690 – Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act; H.R. 5587 – Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026; H.R. 1897 – ESA Amendments Act of 2025; H. Res. ____ – Expressing support for rural communities across the United States as stewards of the environment, major suppliers of United States energy resources, critical providers of food production and manufacturing capacity, and drivers of national economic stability, and recognizing the work of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress in support of those vital communities
- House Intelligence (Permanent Select) — Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for Compartmented Programs (CLOSED)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains unfunded — but here’s the latest on that battle:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To Trying to Finally Fund DHS
Congressional Republicans begin their unilateral quest to fund DHS in earnest this week. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is expected to release his plan to end the budget stalemate at DHS this week -…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) April 20, 2026
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To Trying to Finally Fund DHS
Congressional Republicans begin their unilateral quest to fund DHS in earnest this week. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is expected to release his plan to end the budget stalemate at DHS this week – culminating in votes on the first step of the process later this week.
But the question is whether the bill will be “skinny” or “chunky?”
Senate Republicans prefer to keep the measure svelte, focused just on DHS.
Others – and especially some House Republicans – prefer a loaded-up bill including money for the war in Iran, the SAVE America Act, a gasoline tax holiday, farm assistance and disaster aid.
Republicans are using a special process to cut out Democrats to pass the bill known as budget reconciliation. It just takes a simple majority to pass the bill. But items in the bill must be fiscal in nature and not add to the deficit over the long-term. It’s also not subject to a Senate filibuster.
But Republicans are not in agreement yet on what should be in the bill. Some fear that loading the bill up could jeopardize chances for passage. Others believe a lean bill won’t court Republican votes as Members push for inclusion of their own legislative priorities.
White House What’s Up
President Trump’s schedule for Monday includes:
- 8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — The White House
- 1:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office
- 3:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT signs Executive Orders — Oval Office
Vice President JD Vance is headed back to Islamabad, Pakistan, for new talks with Iran — maybe.
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Attorney General – Todd Blanche (acting) — On Sunday, Blanche shared news of a noteworthy arrest involving alleged arms trafficking to Iran.
Last night, Shamim Mafi, 44, of Woodland Hills, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for trafficking arms on behalf of the government of Iran. She is charged with a violation of 50 U.S.C. § 1705 for brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of… pic.twitter.com/l39Gf1WVed
— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) April 19, 2026
READ MORE: Busted: Iranian Businesswoman Now Accused of $70M Drone Deal for Mullahs
Full Court Press…
We had a few notable rulings over the past few days, including:
- ↔️ In Moe v. Trump (housing of TG inmates), D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals VACATES lower court injunction, remands for further development of record.
- ❌ In Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Bondi (denial of federal grants), Judge Melissa DuBose (Rhode Island) GRANTS plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction.
- ❌ In U.S. v. Amore (voter rolls), Judge Mary McElroy (Rhode Island) GRANTS defendants’ motion to dismiss.
Oral argument resumes today at the Supreme Court with these two cases:
COMING ATTRACTIONS
As noted above, SCOTUS is back hearing oral arguments — including in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) cases, set for next Wednesday. In the meantime, I expect we’ll have another opinion day sometime this week.
MORNING MUSING
I have a confession: I’m struggling to keep up with the Iran news. It’s, as they say, a fluid situation — a lot of moving pieces/parts, on top of which you’ve got Iran’s propagandists spinning in every which direction.
I struggle with determining how dialed in I need to be in order to remain properly informed, but not overwhelmed.
I expect I’m not alone in that. And I’m not exactly sure what the answer to it is (other than, of course, continuing to follow our coverage here at RedState). All of which has resulted in this song being this morning’s earworm.
(Fun fact/side note: I actually saw these guys in concert ca. 1990.)
]]>
LIGHTER FARE
I kid you not…
Attack: 100 damage:0 🐐😅 pic.twitter.com/bWcKR3QdkE
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) April 19, 2026
Enjoying the “Morning Minute”? You can ensure you receive it in your Inbox every weekday by signing up for our newsletter here.
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use the promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership!
